This is going to be after season 5. A lot of romance involving McKay/Keller. Then there will be some other couples in and out. Although it is romantic, it's my take on what season 6 could have looked like. Basing it on some interviews and articles I had heard from various people who worked directly with the show, as well as some Wiki articles talking about after-show novels. This was going to be very Rodney/Jennifer focused but it shifted to everyone's thoughts and feelings. This is already done and is 9 chapters. I love seeing reviews thanks so much for reading
Rodney, John, Ronon, and Teyla were eating together. John had brought back Wendy's from the mainland. They had been sitting in the San Francisco bay for 4 weeks now. The plus side of sitting on Earth Atlantis crew members got to go home to see family. People were still coming and going and now they were able to go to the shores of California to pick up a variety of different meals. John had been insisting on showing them the finer sides of planet Earth and insisted fast food was one of those "finer things." Rodney had to admit he ate a lot of fast food in his life not having time to cook when he was working on his research. In Canada, he had a lot of Tim Horton's and Subway.
Wendy's wasn't Rodney's favorite but when John pulled out a triple with cheese it made Rodney's mouth water.
"That is supposed to be just one meal?" Teyla asks.
John smiled "Yes, yes it is to be enjoyed with a large fry."
Teyla's eyes widened at the amount of fried potatoes given to her. John also decided Cokes were the best approach for drinks. He got everyone the same meal.
Ronon looked at the burger but bit in and took another large bite declaring that this was the best Earth food he's had.
"We need to take him to a steakhouse," Rodney claimed.
John looked at Rodney but said nothing.
Teyla took a few bites of the burger. "Why is this so greasy?" She asked.
Of course, they had burgers on Atlantis but they were standard-issue military bland, dry and plain. They were lucky if cheese and ketchup were provided.
The loaded burger was flavorful and Rodney thought that it was exactly as he remembered.
Just as they had started the meals Dr. Jennifer Keller sits down beside Rodney.
"What are you doing?" Jennifer asks.
"What I am eating a burger," Rodney claims.
"Yeah, one that's going to kill you! Do you know how much cholesterol is in that thing? The salt content? The amount of fat?" Jenifer went on.
"Oh come on it's not like I eat this every day," Rodney claimed.
"No, because if you did you'd already be dead," Jennifer stated.
John rolled his eyes and continued eating the burger.
"There is plenty enough for two people to be eating that," Jennifer announced.
With that Jennifer took the large burger from Rodney's hands. He looked utterly confused and she took a huge bite of his burger.
"Oh I see what you're doing you just wanted a bite of my burger," Rodney claimed.
"Mmm," Jennifer announced and took another bite.
"You could have told me you were getting mainland food," Jennifer claimed.
"Sorry I didn't know John brought it for his team," Rodney claimed.
"Well next time let me in on the loop," Jennifer said as she took yet another bite of Rodney's food. Staring down at John, making sure he knew that she was serious.
Rodney looked like a lost puppy hoping he'd be able to at least have one more bite. The rest of the team's eyes were on the two of them.
He and Jennifer were almost always with each other now, any time they had a free moment. John had thought it was kind of cute. He wasn't sure what Dr. Keller exactly saw in Rodney McKay but their relationship had mellowed the man, so he wasn't complaining.
"Is what you're saying, true doctor? It does not seem to be very healthy." Teyla claimed.
"I wasn't lying it is very high in fat, carbs, and cholesterol and it isn't the best thing for you but every now and again, you just need a burger," Jennifer claimed.
Ronon was already polishing off the fries and coke. Jennifer gave back the triple and started eating Rodney's fries instead.
John was about ¾ of the way through with his meal, and Teyla had been picking at the burger. She took off the bun ate the vegetables and was now picking at one of the patties. Her fries went untouched.
The next day Richard Wolsey announced there was going to be a briefing for all expedition members currently on board at 12pm. No one was told anything not even John who was trying to get answers out of Richard all day.
"Come on, I'm just trying to figure out what's going on," John stated.
"Listen, I don't have all the answers that's why I haven't made any announcement but the deadline is 4 pm today Eastern Time to decide Atlantis's final resting place so, I will know only moments before you do," Wolsey explained.
John nodded and walked out. There wasn't a whole lot of crew because there didn't need to be so many people when Atlantis first landed tons of people had come hoarding on to get a glimpse. Now a month later things had been semi-normal. People stationed on Atlantis still stayed but groups of scientists were coming and going daily from all over. John knew security was tighter now than ever but often had been doing double takes at new scientists questioning if they had been fully vetted.
As Noon approached John got antsy but he and the rest of the crew currently on the ship met in the gate room.
The whole crew was shocked by the words that Richard Wolsey had told them. They thought they might end up in Antarctica or possibly in the middle of the deep Ocean. When Wolsey explained that the expedition would be headed to the moon they thought it was some joke. It kind of made sense and they now had more than enough power to put the shields up so they could still enjoy the decks and view but it was strange to hear that they would be sitting on the moon.
"That will be romantic," Jennifer said to Rodney.
He leaned into her confused. Rodney loved the woman standing next to him. She was smart and funny. She never once belittled him but, there were a lot of things that he never quite understood. She would show him he was sure of it.
As Wolsey went on Jennifer began to think.
Other than some minor accidents Jennifer hadn't been needed much. Jennifer was allowed to go out during the day but being in charge meant that she had only been able to leave for 1 week like all the other leaders and she had already taken her turn and returned. She had told her family of Rodney, she hadn't told them exactly how serious it was though. They had told each other they loved each other, and she wanted more than anything to marry the man but she didn't want to scare him off. They'd only been dating a short time. The short time had moved fast though but neither of them was complaining. She had already moved in with him. Although they had different shifts from time to time and both were called off-world a lot. She relished the days that they both lay together cuddled together she could feel his chest rise and it calmed her as she fell asleep.
She did wonder what it would be like to spend a whole week with each other nothing in the way. She loved listening to his stories and he would intently listen to hers. She knew that he rubbed a lot of people the wrong way but there was something about him that she understood. It just felt like they were meant to be however overly romantic that sounded. She had heard Rodney talk about her to his team all good things and she had overstretched her doctor role probing Rodney's close colleagues to make sure he secretly wasn't saying anything behind her back.
Jennifer loved the idea of going to the moon, it would be an easy jaunt back to Earth, and they may have a little more advance warning of any attacks on the planet. They could also do a lot of experiments that would be easy to say happened at the International Space Station when it really happened on the moon. They may have a better or easier time pushing some advanced technology for everyone on Earth.
"Alright everyone although we love being here on Earth we only have 6 weeks before landing on the moon. It will make it much easier to be in constant contact with family and friends but after a lot of consideration, the SGC has decided that because there are only 6 more weeks that everyone on board will get an additional 2 weeks off starting today. Everyone who is out is set to return tomorrow and were the last group to leave. Several SGC personnel are coming as we speak I will be staying this week to show anyone who hasn't been here around. Everyone is free to leave and make plans I will post the groups that have off as soon as I can get it figured out. If anyone for any reason if someone does not want the time off please let me know.
Jennifer squealed and pulled on Rodney's hand.
"Come on let's go!"
Rodney rolled his eyes because knowing his luck he and Jennifer would have different weeks off like last time. They returned to their room and waited, Jennifer, insisted that she and Rodney would have to have the same time off Wolsey knew of their relationship and he owed her a few things. When Rodney asked what she meant by that she wouldn't say.
"It looks like you and I have off this week, and next. Teyla, Ronon, and John all have off the next Two weeks."
"Whose going to be a medical officer?" Rodney asks.
"Doesn't matter Carson is still here, I think he knows what he is doing, and at least 4 other nurses are here we're on Earth it will be fine," Jennifer claims.
"So are you going to see your dad again?" Rodney asks.
"When I went to visit him last. I told him I wasn't sure when we'd see each other again. He understood, but I think he thinks I am making some of it up. I am sure you want to spend time with your sister so I can go back there" Jennifer claims.
Rodney looks at her.
"It's okay go, I'll see my dad not that I don't want to, but I'd rather be enjoying these weeks with you," Jennifer claimed.
"Really?" Rodney asks.
"Well yeah, you think I just keep you around when we're not on Earth?"
"No of course not, I just thought..." Rodney claims
"It's not that I don't want to see him, but if we're on the moon we'll be able to travel back and forth more often. I want to be with you Rodney, where ever you're going. If you want we can visit my dad. Do you still have a place you'd like to go to or stay nearby?" Jennifer asks.
"Up to you, I have a place if you'd like to see it, not much and I'm not even sure if the lights are still on," Rodney stated.
"Sounds great, I'd like to see the Earth side of Rodney McKay," Jennifer claimed.
Rodney smiled.
"Alright well let's get packing shall we," Rodney claims.
Jennifer grabs her things, although they were sleeping together, sex was few and far between. She knew it was kind of weird they should be in the honeymoon stage trying to sneak around. Sometimes they were awake for days on end and the comfort of each other and the occasional make-out sessions were enough to exhaust them. They've had downtime since the arrival on Earth but she left for a week and the next week Rodney left. Then, she was working nights, and he was working days. Jennifer was hoping that this week there wouldn't be as many issues facing them.
John knocked on the door.
"I see you two got your hall pass," John claimed.
Jennifer laughed. "Sorry, you got to wait another few weeks."
"No worries. I get to take Ronon and Teyla and Torren out so it will give them time to figure out what they want to do. Apparently last time IOA refused for them to go off base and they were stuck at the SGC.
"Well then, I'm sure whatever you plan will be much better". Jennifer claimed.
"Yeah, I can imagine, have fun you two, but not too much fun, don't need any babies running around Atlantis," John claimed.
Rodney dropped the bag he was holding.
"A joke Rodney," Jennifer claimed.
"I know that I, just it caught me by surprise is all." Rodney huffed picking the bag back up and suddenly scurrying into the bathroom.
After 20 more minutes, Jennifer and Rodney got into a puddle jumper with 10 more people heading to Area 51, from there they would take a bus over to the airport for their destination.
As soon as they got on the plane Jennifer pulled Rodney close kissed his cheek and closed her eyes they both drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
When they landed Rodney sat up surprised that Jennifer had slept through the landing. He suddenly remembered her last day of night shift had been the day before and stirs her awake.
Rodney rents a car and heads to his home. He can't remember the last time he'd been there and had almost had Jeanie sell the place for him. He wasn't sure why he held on to it. When they walked through the door, he instantly turned on the lights and changed the thermostat 70. Jennifer looked around intrigued.
The whole wall was covered in bookshelves. The man had a piano in the far right corner. The living room was long and skinny. Behind the living room was the kitchen with modern appliances and a small table with 2 chairs. There was a bathroom off to the side and a staircase that lead to 2 bedrooms and a second bathroom upstairs. The 2nd bedroom was also filled with books and papers a desk in the middle with a very comfortable looking chair.
Rodney had a king-size bed and a nightstand. His closet was quite small but filled with some clothes and shoes.
Jennifer had a self-guided tour done in all five minutes.
Rodney was gripping his hands tightly. "So what do you think," Rodney asks.
"This looks like a perfect place to spend a week with the man I love," Jennifer stated.
"Glad it fits the bill," Rodney stated.
"Thanks for bringing me here," Jennifer said.
"Anytime," Rodney admits.
Before anything is unpacked the two of them are making out on his couch. He can't honestly believe his luck. He had owned the place for 10 years now and never had a woman kiss him in his house. He had some relationships but he was never actually at home when they occurred. He was overly excited to think he would be sharing his home with the woman he had come to love and admire. He suddenly was trying to think of anything interesting to do in the city hoping that Jennifer wouldn't become too bored.
As if Jennifer was reading Rodney's mind she stated "Rodney, I don't think we're leaving this building for a week."
Rodney sighed and kissed her lips once more. He was more than willing to stay the whole week right here if they just kept doing this. Although they both wanted more, they both knew that Rodney would soon be hungry. Jennifer took a more detailed look at his home. The books on his self were telling. A lot were physics books as she expected. There were several of Daniel Jackson's books on the self as well. Jennifer knew for sure that Daniel would never be told of this development unless one day she decided to do so. She also found research papers from Samantha Carter.
Jennifer was told that Rodney McKay had eyes on Sam Carter for a very long time. Jennifer had really liked Sam, and could easily tell why Rodney would fall for her. Jennifer also knew that Samantha Carter would never look twice at Rodney in that way. She had gotten to know Samantha Carter often talking to her in the few spare moments they had some downtime. Jennifer knew Sam's heart was with someone else. She also knew that Sam could never see Rodney the way Jennifer did. Jennifer had heard some of the mean things Rodney had done and heard about 100 examples as to why she shouldn't fall for him. The more she got to know Rodney though the more she saw that he had grown. He wasn't as a lot of people described him. Yes, he was cocky and arrogant but he had a right to be. By all accounts, Rodney McKay saved that Atlantis expedition multiple times. He was also selfless in many of those accounts. Rodney had put on a big front.
Jennifer wished she could go back in time and see for herself Rodney's childhood. Rodney was more open to talking about his sister. He had admitted to Jennifer that it took him a long time to realize that Jeannie wanted more than just science. Science was the only thing he ever had. Rodney wouldn't really talk about his parents. From what she could gather from the little bits of information he had given her, his dad didn't know how to show his feelings. His mom he talked even less about. She didn't question it, not yet but someday she would because she wanted to know everything she had missed with him.
Jennifer pulled out a book Sam had written, Jennifer didn't even know she had. She looked at it and laughed, it was a book about theoretical wormholes.
Rodney looked up and smiled wondering what she had and when he saw it he laughed too.
"Rodney, why didn't you go after her?" Jennifer asks.
"Sam? Of course, I went after her." Rodney claimed.
Jennifer eyed him.
"Well I mean before I met you, I went after her," Rodney said quickly.
"You sound perfect together on paper," Jennifer claimed.
Rodney's face dropped and he sighed.
"We do sound good on paper. I know though she has someone else in mind. I also know although I would love to have had a relationship with Samantha Carter she wouldn't compare to you." Rodney claims.
"How do you know all that?" Jennifer asks.
"Well first off she is in love with Jack. She has been way before she ever met me. Second, off if you haven't noticed although she loves the man she is never with him. She is a military woman a strong beautiful one at that, but she takes that to heart too much for her own good. If we were ever in a relationship I'd never seen her besides she never took the time to get to know me. Not like you did. I love you Jen. Yes, I had a crush on her but despite her beauty, she has a lot of personal faults that just wouldn't work for me." Rodney explained.
"Wait, that's who she was talking about?" Jennifer laughed again.
Rodney gave her a look.
"That time when we were trapped together we were trying to find ways to get out. I can't say we'd officially given up but we were both getting frustrated. She asked me if I was seeing anyone and I wasn't at the time. I asked her the same. She said something about an older man in Washington. I thought it was a senator or someone high up in the pentagon but not Jack. He's a lovely man though. I guess it makes sense." Jennifer claims.
"Yeah, I guess…" Rodney mused.
"You're Jealous!" Jennifer squealed.
"I do not get jealous just a little miffed I never got a chance, but it was for the best," Rodney explains.
Jennifer smiles. She gets it, there was a boy she remembered quite fondly, Luther Horn she would never mention the name to Rodney. Luther wasn't like the other people in college with her. He was 17 about to turn 18 when she met him in some of her freshman classes. He took her under his wing in a way. He was one of the few people who treated her as an equal. It was amazingly difficult to be with anyone at that time. She was "too young" for most of the college people and although she could talk about boys, make-up, and frivolous stuff to the friends she had left back in high school none of them could understand what she was doing at the college even if she tried to explain. It took a long time before Jennifer felt comfortable getting to know people. She still hated how young she was in her field but at least her actions proved to others she deserved to be there.
Rodney had never questioned her age, only her mind. When the talk about age did come around she knew he was startled by the number. She was 11 years younger than he was. John had said it was a good thing as she would keep him on his toes. She hoped it never nagged him in the back of his mind.
Rodney had found he did have a bit of pep in his step. Although it was never his wish to die when they were out in the field he found an even greater reason to return home. He found himself on the cautious side for a while after Rodney and Jennifer had officially disclosed their relationship.
As Jennifer moved around the room Rodney felt comfortable sitting on his couch not having to worry about Atlantis or the Wraith. He came to find he was utterly exhausted. As Jennifer moved through his home he found a peace he had forgotten existed and fell asleep.
Rodney had opened his eyes confused he wasn't in Atlantis, he was home. Then he remembered that Jennifer was with him and didn't know how he had fallen asleep. He went to look for the woman who he found in his spare room looking at photos.
"Seriously I can't leave you alone for 5 minutes?" Rodney asks.
"Try 4 hours Rodney. You were tired so here were are." Jennifer explained she had a large stack of albums she had already gone through.
"Jeannie looks so happy," Jennifer commented.
Rodney looks at the picture. They are both young he's about 8 and she had just turned 5. Rodney is playing with her, she had gotten a doll house for her birthday. Rodney smiled, "We made a good team."
"So what kind of experiments did you do on her?" Jennifer asks.
Rodney looks slightly horrified but then quickly rambles on multiple experiments where she was the test study.
"I wish I had a sibling growing up," Jennifer admits.
"Hmm, I always wanted to be an only child," Rodney claims.
"I thought you love your sister," Jennifer stated.
"I do, but do you know how hard it is to see your baby sister want to throw away her career for some man, and then have kids? I understand a lot more now but at the time, I just knew she was doing so well. I would never admit this to anyone else but I knew she was smarter than me. She was doing so much stuff putting me to shame. She called me out on theory and experiments in every aspect of my research. Then, all of a sudden it was she and her husband who didn't have the first clue. She spent time with him made a baby and left all her work behind. She would have been in Atlantis not me" Rodney explains.
"Rodney, think about it, were you mad she left her work behind or that you felt like she left you behind," Jennifer asks.
"Excuse me, we've already made up, I don't need to delve more into this we're on good terms. She left science came back, and she helped on Atlantis. She got to see her dreams come true just like I did. It took her a lot longer to get there but she did it. If it was just the two of us Atlantis wouldn't know what to do." Rodney smiled.
"One McKay is enough for the expedition to handle," Jennifer claimed.
"Oh, I was thinking one day there might be two," Rodney stated.
Jennifer's eyes got wide and Rodney realized he had said the comment out loud.
"Oh me and my big stupid mouth now I know what John's been going on about all these years. I'm sorry I've already just scared you away. You can go now." Rodney sighs.
Jennifer smiles deeply and looks at Rodney.
"I kind of like the sounds of that one day, in the future if what I've learned so far is any indication," Jennifer said and kissed Rodney's lips.
"You're incredible." Rodney kissed back.
Jennifer smiled and let him go. Rodney had made a call to the local pizza place, and Jennifer then hounded him for the next 2 hours about childhood photos. She stayed clear of his parents and focused more on him and his sister wanting to keep things light and as carefree as possible. Jennifer offered stories of her own. They both had a lot of similar college experiences which makes Jennifer realize just how easy it is for her to understand him. She wished they had met sooner. She wished she had him all those years ago to tell her it was going to be okay. He's here now though and she was going to take full advantage of their time together.
As the two ate, Jennifer couldn't get over the fact they would be stationed around Earth's orbit. She wondered how Teyla and Ronon felt. She knew overall they would want to go back home. They had joined John on a quest to free all people of the Wraith. Now with the win in the Milkyway, that left fewer Wraith but still there would be feedings ongoing with innocent people back home. It would take weeks for them to be returned there were other people as well on Atlantis now in a different galaxy how many wanted to return and how many wanted to be in a Wraith-free galaxy? There was a lot to comprehend. Jennifer knew that people were talking right now about logistics and she hoped for everyone's sake this moon mission would be worth it.
After the food it was very late, the two were used to little sleep so it didn't seem to be weird when the clock read 2300 and neither batted an eye despite them usually waking up at 0500 or before.
Rodney was more awake than Jennifer because of his evening nap. When he had finished cleaning up their plates he hurried back.
"There is something I want to show you unless you've already searched my bedroom too." Rodney joked.
"I was getting there the photos stopped me," Jennifer announced.
Rodney lead her back up to his bedroom, he pulled the curtains back from the side. Jennifer hadn't thought much of the large curtain when she had gone through his house when they arrived.
When he pulled the back curtain it was a deep large bay window where the two could easily cuddle up but what had her intrigued and the reason why Rodney showed it to her was that it looked as though the window was made for the moonlight to glow through.
"I can't believe in a few weeks we'll be looking at Earth's glow." Jennifer breathed.
"Until then I am perfectly content with this view," Rodney said as he looked at Jennifer staring at the moon.
She smiled turned around and pulled him in for a hug.
Rodney's bed had been calling her name his overstuffed duvet looked like a cloud and his sheets were the softest she had felt in a long time. She knew she shouldn't be so forward but they were already sharing a bed on Atlantis, his home shouldn't be different, should it?
Rodney looked at her tired from the long day. He pulled back the bedding and had her get in. He had decided on forgoing sleep for the moment his nap did wonders and although he would love to snuggle up next to her there were a few things he needed to do now he was back home. The military had been paying his bills keeping his lights on and making sure his mail was picked up and put in storage. When they received it the first time it took weeks for Rodney to go through it all. Now they were back on Earth no one had bothered to pick through it. 90% of it was junk but there were a few things including a birthday card from some former colleagues.
He then decided to go through the house picking up, he was a bachelor after all, and although Jennifer didn't say anything about the somewhat messy home he didn't want her to think he was a total slob. He was also wondering if this week would go as smoothly as Jennifer seemed to think it would. Yes, of course, they practically lived together but they were always busy with their work, with so much time together Rodney was sure he would say or do something to screw it up. He had to think about what could keep her interest for the next 2 weeks, and he was wondering if he should make the offer of meeting her father. It was a very scary idea, he wasn't sure who would be more scary, Jennifer's dad or the wraith.
Finally exhausted by worrying about what the next few weeks had in the store he went to his room. He saw Jennifer in his bed and it took his breath away every time he came in to see she was still actually there. He knew he was a lucky man to have Jennifer beside him. Rodney tried not to wake her but he knew he would she was the lightest sleeper he'd ever met.
Rodney got under the cover and rolled onto his side. Jennifer pushed her body next to his and Rodney who was now more awake than ever. He sighed causing Jennifer to giggle.
"Tease," Rodney said jokingly.
"Just wait until morning," Jennifer claimed.
Rodney blushed wondering what those words meant.